life...

life...

June 11

Awake at 4.30

Had my breakfast of champions.

Oatmeal with banana.

Left around six.

Filling and keeps me going for the first fifteen or so miles.

I found it slow going after that point.

Even after eating two sandwiches, drinking lots of water, having a banana and even some fig newtons. 

The sun the first day had drained me quite completely.

I basically bonked.

Had a hard time pedaling for any distance. 

Could not get anything going very well.

So very slow going.

I did make it Davenport. 

Was a beautiful ride.

Stopped in front of the local building supply store so could take a break.

There was an older distinguished looking gentleman and his wife who had arrived in their car at the same time.

Talking with him while his wife went inside.

Bill Lutz, graduated from Whitworth in 1957. 

Two years before I was born!

He is a retired pastor from the Presbyterian Church in town.

Knew Roger Mohrlang and Dale Bruner, who were two of my professors.

What a joy to meet this man!

Forgot to mention Harrington where I stopped at the fuel station outside of town.

The couple employees asked several questions about the trip. 

So, I got to give them "The Answer."

So when I left Davenport, I thought it is only thirteen more miles to Rearden. 

I can do that!

So I did.

Asked a gal watering plants outside a restaurant if there was any place to pitch a tent.

I think it was around four thirty or so.

Ended up going into the Highway Cafe/Restaurant.

So glad I did.

The waitress, Tina, had just begun working there.

Talk about a full meal.

The chicken salad was very tasty.

And the large portion of fries was over the top.

If you are ever through Rearden and want a good place to stop, chat, eat and enjoy, stop by this restaurant. 

You will not be disappointed.

Come to find out she does photography for the local HS students as well.

I looked at her page with her photos she has done. 

Quite a talent.

Check it out.

facebook.com/InfinityRosePhotography

So after fueling up on all the good food, I started the last leg of the day to Spokane.

Started at  just after six in the evening.

Took extra time to enjoy the food!

Made it to the house at close to ten.

No fun riding in Spokane at night time.

Potholes inside of potholes.

Oh, how I have not missed thee!

Am thankful to the Lord I made it all in one piece. 

A little addition here. 

Unfortunately, or fortunately, actually, the tire on the trailer went flat five miles from the house.

Seems to be an everyday occurrence.

Is The Lord trying to tell me something?

So actually went eighty miles.

I was tired, to say the least, when I got to the house. 

Oh, but the hot shower felt so good. 

And laying down helped as well! 

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

silly...pride...

silly...pride..

June 10

How can I explain all the ways the Lord intervened and showed himself today?

First off, the beautiful sunrise this morning to remind me of the Lord's awesomeness and his ability to paint the skies. 

Incredible!

Met the crew who stripe the lines on the road again. Did not get to talk with them like I did before when I was coming back from Wenatchee and had a rest at the top of the hill.

Or Tim, who went and got a tire pump for me since mine went kaput. And he told me to keep it. He, too, rides bike when he gets the chance.

He gave me his card so that if I am riding through the area again to call him if I have any bike trouble. Gave him mine as well.

Or the lady at the malt shop who asked questions about the recumbent and what I am doing.

Was able to share about the trip and give an answer to why.

And so, why?

Obedience to the Lord.

Plain and simple.

And also I have desired to do a long bike ride for many years.

Again, I am so excited to see what the Lord will do during this season of journeying.

It is amazing to walk in faith!

When I got into Odessa, everyone I met was glad that the bike was fixed and I was on it riding into town.

A number of people drove by when I was on the side of the road. 

Only four miles from where I had planned to stop for the night.

Maybe there is a recurring theme here.

I really thought I could get the pump to work.

Silly pride.

So I kept telling them all, I had it figured out.

Silly pride.

Was not to be.

Silly pride!

The older gentleman who was buying two shakes. one for him. One for his wife who had just had a doctor appointment. She is having side effects from a stroke several years ago.

His name is David as well. 

Told me where he lives and if I am riding through again to stop by.

Bringing extra water as I drank through the two large jugs.

Having a comfortable pad to sleep on.

Must admit I was flustered with the whole road side situation.

Think I may get an extra little pump. Have two in case one goes out again.

It is eight thirty at night and it is beginning to cool off.

That makes me happy.

The little things, right?!

To have time to arrange the bike, get water from the tap to clean the dirt and grime off my face, to  be able to relax and not have to hurry down the road.

I think I did fifty seven miles this day. Though not positive as the odometer went funny. 

Repositioned it so maybe it will work properly tomorrow.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to hear you this day.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

June 9, 2015

Tomorrow...

I begin riding to Spokane.

This last week I rode to Wenatchee.

Left on Wednesday and returned to the farm on Thursday.

58 miles on Wednesday.

52 miles on Thursday.

110 for the two days.

-------------------------------

There are several things for which I am thanking the Lord in advance.

1. Divine appointments.

2. Discernment in travels on the road.

3. For my ears to be opened to hear the Word of the Lord. Both from Him and others I will meet.

4. Knowledge to know when to quit each day.

5. To not attempt to make any crazy mileage records.

6. Ability to speak encouragement and truth.

I am very excited to begin this ride adventure for the Lord.

Not quite sure what He will reveal, do, show.

Thanks for following.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

The ride...

Day 2

June 3

Yesterday was actualy the first day of the official ride.

As the weather was not too pleasant I decided to stay back. Kept a watch on what was happening through the weather radar.

Today, it is a beautiful morning.

It is hard to believe the day is finally here to start pedaling.

Since I got the recumbent out of the crate, I have put on 800 miles of preride riding.

Been an adventure so far.

And am sure it has really only begun.

Looking forward to all the many miles ahead.

Up passes.

Down passes.

Wind and rain.

Meeting people.

Sharing all the Lord is doing.

To live!

Keep getting reminded this ride is not about the miles.

Yes, I am desiring to get to NM and back.

But I have come to the realization, it is all about people and the Word of God.

As I have said for many years, there are only two things which will last for eternity.

The Word of God and relationships.

Neither can be bound by man when they are founded on Christ.

What else can I say?

God is good and He has shown Himself over and over so many times in my life.

Love to all of you out there.

Continuing to joy in the journey.

D.

Psalm 62....

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
  for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
  my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can
    reach me.
O my people, trust in Him at all times.
  Pour out your heart to Him,
  for God is our refuge.

These are from verses 5-8 of this psalm.

wait quietly...

The Lord does not require of us that we attempt to grab back that which we have already given Him.

It is His.

So we wait.

Quietly.

Our hope is in Him.

Not in the ways of this world.
Not in our own strength, wisdom or power.

In Him.

He is my rock...

When we build our lives upon the Lord, upon the surety of our salvation in Him, and him alone, we will not be shaken.

The fortress we have in Jesus is better, stronger, more sure than any military base, any thick walled castle, any alligator filled moat. More secure than Fort Knox.

Our lives are more valuable to Him than all the precious jewels in this world.

Our fortress has been unshaken from the beginning and will remain until the end.

My victory... my honor...

Both come from Him.

Victory in all areas of life.

Victory over bad influences, over doubts, over fears, anxieties....

Honor...

That is something that grows inside of you as you mature in your relationship with the Lord. It is not something you can walk down to the corner drugstore and buy. It is not an item you can order over the internet.

Honor comes when you walk in the character of the Lord.

A refuge...

A refuge is where no one can find you.

A place where you can rest, relax, refresh and renew without worry or fear.

Simply put, God is our refuge.

When we go to the Lord, there is no other place where we can enjoy the sweet fellowship of who He is and our relationship with Him.

Trust...

Have faith that He is in control, even when it seems otherwise.

Pour out your heart....

O, how He loves to hear the cries of our hearts to Him.

He never wearies of hearing our groans, our shouts of joys, our wailings, our heartaches, our desires, needs.....

He loves to hear it all.

All.

Don't hold anything back from the Lord.

Find a mountain to climb and shout it all out.

Or go into a closet and pray in private.

Any way one chooses, the Lord is there.

He is not absent.

He is present.

He is.

So call out to the "I am."

Let Him know who "you are."

It will change your life.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

shake down complete......

The final writing about this shake down ride.

I would say the shake down ride on the bike was a major success.

Got a lot of miles on.

Almost 500 since I left on the 6th.

I did something crazy.

Thought it would be "fun" to pedal all the way back to the farm in one day from Danny and Paula's place out in the Spokane Valley.

A good way to end this shake down ride.

Right!

Well I made it!

17 hours 29 minutes later of pedaling.

146 miles.

8.4 miles an hour average.

I arrived back at 12.30 in the morning.

4 and half hours riding by headlight.

A whole new perspective on the route when it is dark.

Crazy.

The numbers are good to know.

Shows I can do this trip to NM. Or other destinations.

Yet.....

The most important part of all this shakedown ride, come to find out, is the stories from people I got to visit.

Meeting David A. on the road to Spokane the second day of this ride.

From George and DeeDee. My oldest bro and his wife. So beautiful to see them again.

From Richard. My next oldest bro.

From Robert. To many crazy rides with this guy when I lived in Spokane!

From Michael. A new brother in Jesus!

From Paula. Filled with generosity and hospitality to no end. An encourager.

From Steve and Ricky. Reminded me that no matter what, God is in control.

From Jeff and Anna. Two people I am pleased to have gotten to know. Hospitality and a gift of service.

From so many people.

Helping another bicyclist on the road cause I had the right tool with me.

Being encouraged from someone who saw me climbing the hill out of Reardan and seeing me at the Safeway store in Davenport.

How the Lord is working and moving in spectacularly incredible ways.

To hear their stories melts my heart and invigorates, excites and fills me with more passion to spread the glory and the Good News of Jesus.

Never forget how important we all are in the scheme of God's big plan.

No one is insignificant.

I love the fact that He chooses the weak to confound the strong and the innocent to confound the wise.

So there you have it!

What is your most recent story of what the Lord is doing in your life!

You ready to share it?

Continuing to joy in the journey.

D.